Stainless or Aluminum Prop

hutch9900 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 7:14 pm **Posts:** 456

Currently running on a 14-1/2x19 3 blade Quicksilver. I am going to buy a prop and I have narrowed it down to the Vortex and Apollo versions of the 14x20 of the 4 blade prop. I just need input on why I would want to pay more than double for Stainless over Aluminum? I do know that with the new hub kits, I shouldnt have to worry about damaging my drive if I were to hit something. Is that correct? Am I going to get better control in turns, more speed, ect.?? Any help would be much appreciated!

ric · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 1:32 pm

hutch9900 wrote:

Currently running on a 14-1/2x19 3 blade Quicksilver. I am going to buy a prop and I have narrowed it down to the Vortex and Apollo versions of the 14x20 of the 4 blade prop. I just need input on why I would want to pay more than double for Stainless over Aluminum? I do know that with the new hub kits, I shouldnt have to worry about damaging my drive if I were to hit something. Is that correct? Am I going to get better control in turns, more speed, ect.?? Any help would be much appreciated!

The best way to describe Al vs SS for me is:

Aluminum is a open wheel differential in a car. The car still moves and functions normally, but you can easily over power that one wheel and slip

Stainless is a limited slip rear end. More power is transferred with less slippage. This creates a more efficient drivetrain all around at any speed.

Of course this all depends on the prop design. You can get a crappy stainless just as easily as you can get a very good aluminum.

3 vs 4 blade? From every documented test I've ever seen that was set with the same boat, same weight, with stop watches and radar guns... 3 bladed props out performed 4 blades in every scenario. The only prop you can slap on a boat that WILL 100% give you better low end performance is the Hi-5.... at a cost of gas and top speed. It's for water sports only. From what I can read the two best all around props on the market are the Mercury Laser 2 and the Volvo Penta SS (3 blade)

Paul I. · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 1:50 pm

ric wrote:

hutch9900 wrote:

Currently running on a 14-1/2x19 3 blade Quicksilver. I am going to buy a prop and I have narrowed it down to the Vortex and Apollo versions of the 14x20 of the 4 blade prop. I just need input on why I would want to pay more than double for Stainless over Aluminum? I do know that with the new hub kits, I shouldnt have to worry about damaging my drive if I were to hit something. Is that correct? Am I going to get better control in turns, more speed, ect.?? Any help would be much appreciated!

The best way to describe Al vs SS for me is:

Aluminum is a open wheel differential in a car. The car still moves and functions normally, but you can easily over power that one wheel and slip

Stainless is a limited slip rear end. More power is transferred with less slippage. This creates a more efficient drivetrain all around at any speed.

Of course this all depends on the prop design. You can get a crappy stainless just as easily as you can get a very good aluminum.

3 vs 4 blade? From every documented test I've ever seen that was set with the same boat, same weight, with stop watches and radar guns... 3 bladed props out performed 4 blades in every scenario. The only prop you can slap on a boat that WILL 100% give you better low end performance is the Hi-5.... at a cost of gas and top speed. It's for water sports only. From what I can read the two best all around props on the market are the Mercury Laser 2 and the Volvo Penta SS (3 blade)

Thats to complicated for me!

Al will flex under load were stainless will not. With that in mind, stainless will give you better perfomance than Al.

On the other hand, Al is more forgiving if you hit a rock. Stainless will send more of that shock into the drive.

As to prefomance, I like stainless, but to get into some of these high priced props. For me, the money you put into it will not give you that much in performance. BUT, to each there own. For me to do over 35knots if I had to and cruise at 25 knots, I am happy!! You can thow a ton of money at the boat and bottom line, if you went 5 to 8% faster, that would be a lot. I am sure othe people would differ, but I would spent the money on upgrades. As in sound system, windlass, lighting and more........

ric · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 2:04 pm

Well if you get 5% better economy.... At cruise you might get 9.5gph instead of 10gph with a quality 3 blade SS like the VP.

If that's the case you're getting a savings of around 20 cents per gallon of gas if it's $4 a gallon. It will take around 1500 gallons of gas to recoop the $$, or around 150 hours at cruise for a $300 prop.

Stainless doesn't "shine" on fuel savings, it shines on less wear and tear on equipment. Going from a 3500rpm cruise to a 3200rpm cruise. Now that's worth it.

Paul I. · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 2:31 pm

ric wrote:

Well if you get 5% better economy.... At cruise you might get 9.5gph instead of 10gph with a quality 3 blade SS like the VP.

If that's the case you're getting a savings of around 20 cents per gallon of gas if it's $4 a gallon. It will take around 1500 gallons of gas to recoop the $$, or around 150 hours at cruise for a $300 prop.

Stainless doesn't "shine" on fuel savings, it shines on less wear and tear on equipment. Going from a 3500rpm cruise to a 3200rpm cruise. Now that's worth it.

True, but I even dout that you would go from 3500 to 3200 RPMs. Now forgive, I am not talking Al vs stainless. I mean a normal stainless prop vs a high preformance props.

ric · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 7:45 pm

Paul I. wrote:

ric wrote:

Well if you get 5% better economy.... At cruise you might get 9.5gph instead of 10gph with a quality 3 blade SS like the VP.

If that's the case you're getting a savings of around 20 cents per gallon of gas if it's $4 a gallon. It will take around 1500 gallons of gas to recoop the $$, or around 150 hours at cruise for a $300 prop.

Stainless doesn't "shine" on fuel savings, it shines on less wear and tear on equipment. Going from a 3500rpm cruise to a 3200rpm cruise. Now that's worth it.

True, but I even dout that you would go from 3500 to 3200 RPMs. Now forgive, I am not talking Al vs stainless. I mean a normal stainless prop vs a high preformance props.

The best all around prop out there that bolts on is the VP 3 blade SS. It murders the 4 blade in every test. Fast acceleration, good top end.

This is for stingray and results may vary, but it gives you a good idea of what things really do
http://www.stingrayboats.com/products/r ... 03_06.html

hutch9900 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 7:14 pm **Posts:** 456

Quote:

The best all around prop out there that bolts on is the VP 3 blade SS. It murders the 4 blade in every test. Fast acceleration, good top end.

This is for stingray and results may vary, but it gives you a good idea of what things really do
http://www.stingrayboats.com/products/r ... 03_06.html

I am confused. I was referring to my boat, which is a 5.0L MPI. I dont think a Sundowner and Stingray are even comparable for this type of test. So with all of this said, should I only be looking at 3 blade props? I do want to improve my handling and hole shot. Hole shot is not quite as important because I do have trim tabs. I dont really care about top end speed. It would be nice to lower cruise RPM a bit too. Everything I had heard was saying that a 4 blade prop would help with these issues. It does sound like from Paul and Ric that going with Stainless might be worth the cost??

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Wed Sep 12, 2012 12:49 pm

Hutch, based on what you just said, I would go with a 4-blade. Either stainless or Al. Depending on your budget.
You will lose a tad (not much) in WOT speed, gain some holeshot, and greatly improve your low speed planing and maneuverability.

hutch9900 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 7:14 pm **Posts:** 456

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

Hutch, based on what you just said, I would go with a 4-blade. Either stainless or Al. Depending on your budget.
You will lose a tad (not much) in WOT speed, gain some holeshot, and greatly improve your low speed planing and maneuverability.

Thanks! That was really easy for me to understand! I can budget for the SS, but wanted to see what benefits there were for that over AL. If it will help with fuel economy and hole shot, then that sounds good enough to me. Does the removable hub keep the drive from absorbing the impact if I were to hit bottom, as Paul indicated that ss is less forgiving?

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Wed Sep 12, 2012 1:08 pm

Yes, the hub will absorb the impact and take the hit, not the propeller.

ric · **Posted:** Wed Sep 12, 2012 2:27 pm

Just don't go buying any 4 blade prop thinking it will help. Do a LOT of research on the specific props you are looking at. Many 3 blades out perform 4 blades in holeshot, slow speed cruising. Some 4 blades (Solas) are horrible at everything. I still believe the best prop for your boat is the 3 blade VP SS in factory size.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Wed Sep 12, 2012 2:51 pm

ric wrote:

Just don't go buying any 4 blade prop thinking it will help. Do a LOT of research on the specific props you are looking at. Many 3 blades out perform 4 blades in holeshot, slow speed cruising. Some 4 blades (Solas) are horrible at everything. I still believe the best prop for your boat is the 3 blade VP SS in factory size.

Even though VP does not make the 3 blade SS prop in "factory size" You would be surprised at who does. :wink:

ric · **Posted:** Wed Sep 12, 2012 3:10 pm

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

ric wrote:

Just don't go buying any 4 blade prop thinking it will help. Do a LOT of research on the specific props you are looking at. Many 3 blades out perform 4 blades in holeshot, slow speed cruising. Some 4 blades (Solas) are horrible at everything. I still believe the best prop for your boat is the 3 blade VP SS in factory size.

Even though VP does not make the 3 blade SS prop in "factory size" You would be surprised at who does. :wink:

19 pitch...

Flying Sushi · **Posted:** Wed Sep 12, 2012 8:10 pm

Quote:

Aluminum is a open wheel differential in a car....Stainless is a limited slip rear end

I do not see that way... I would say SX (single prop) is a open wheel differential in a car and DP (dual Prop) is a limited slip rear end..... :mrgreen:

Anyway Four Winns Stable V hull is not fast hull as well as Sundowner is not light boat like Stingray for same length... Prop will react very different from boat to boat... You will defiantly benefit from going to 4 blade prop like Merc Rev 4... Marc’s Alpha 4 Aluminum prop also performs well for Four Winns hull and very inexpensive... When we had our 2006 Horizon 240 with SX drive... we tested more than 15 props and ended up with Stainless Steel Merc Rev 4 (with VP hub). Top speed was only fraction difference to stock VP 3 blade prop.... (SS) however, hole shot and low speed cruising are night and day different... my 2c

ric · **Posted:** Wed Sep 12, 2012 10:01 pm

I 110% agree, merc factory props are the best on the market. Easy hub switch with the right shop.

www.iFourWinns.com

Stainless or Aluminum Prop

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